Back treatment with slant table and user adjustments

ABSTRACT

A slanting table is provided, with comfortable padding, on which the body reclines. The foot end has a padded clamp for the feet. At the foot end there is an elevatable element, or actuator, which raises and lowers the foot end, thus controlling the slope, and controls the stretch on the spine of the user. Under the user there are actuator pads for the hips, the shoulder blades, and the head of the user, under control of the user. The user adjusts the table to a higher or lower slope and adjusts the desired shape of his spine, with consequent straightening tendency. Pressure is taken off the spinal discs, and round shouldering is overcome. The actuator under the head is adjustable for the convenience of reading. A motor driven vibrator aids relaxation of the muscles, discs, and joints.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

A slanting table is provided, with comfortable padding, on which the body reclines. Typically the body's foot end is a few inches higher than the human head end. The foot end has a padded clamp for the feet. At the foot end there is an elevatable element which raised and lowers the foot end, thus controlling the slope, and controls the stretch on the spine of the user. Under the user there are elevatable pads for the hips, the shoulder blades, and the head of the user. These elevatable elements are under switch control of the user. The user lies on the table on his back and then adjusts the table to a preferred slope, usually a greater slope, and adjusts the shape of his spine, with consequent straightening tendency. Pressure is taken off the spinal discs, and round shouldering is overcome. The elevatable support under the head is adjustable for the convenience of reading and of reducing the blood pressure in the head.

BACKGROUND

Gravity exerts downward daily pressure on the spine for our lifetime. Discs are chronically compressed except while sleeping. The results in later years are round shouldering, leaning forward while erect, and lower back spine problems. This invention allows temporary reversal of the adverse forces. A round shouldered spine is the beginnings of hunchback, which is unsightly and reduces the quality of breathing. Bad or dehydrated discs cause limping and much back pain

FIGURES

FIG. 1 show the basic tilt table in profile.

FIG. 2 show the table when the tilt has been increased.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A slanting slant table 12 is supported by a ground member 10 which rests on a horizontal floor. The table 12 carries comfortable padding, not shown, on which a body 20 reclines. The body 20 is formed of these elements: feet 21, knee 40, hips 42, spine 43, shoulder and shoulder blades 44, and head 46. Typically the body's 20 foot end is a few inches higher than the human head 46 end.

The foot end of table 12 is supported off the ground member by partially vertical member 14. Member 14 is connected to the ground member 10 by an elevator member 18, to be described later.

To stop the body 20 from sliding down and off the head end of the table 12 there is the foot restraint 16, also well padded, which holds the body 20 in the preferred location. The foot end has the padded clamp or restraint 16 for the feet 21. Restraint 16 is supported a short distance off the table 12 by member 17.

An example of a basic slant table 12 is now available as a “vibrating back relief slant board” sold by Hammacher Schlemmer 1976 catalog number 12431C for $399.95. This purchasable table incorporates a practical implementation of padding for table 12, not shown in FIG. 1, the padding being comprised of a series of sponge rubber rollers, along the length of the table 12. The rollers support the spine 43 and body 20 comfortably. Rollers also serve as a comfortable foot harness 16 to avoid sliding off the head end of the table. This board includes a vibrating motor 52 which helps the muscle and discs to relax during use.

The body 20 is placed on the table, or the user climbs on to table 12, or straddles table 12, and reclines to a horizontal position. Straddling is easier if the user uses a strap from the user hands to the foot of table 12. The convenience strap is not shown.

The body 20 is supported along its length by table 12 and the overall table padding. There are four locations which carry the main part of the load and allow adjustment of the profile of the body. First, the feet 21 are supported by the grasping element 16 supported by element 17. The second point of support is at the hips 42, supported by panel 30. Panel 30 is a flexible flat panel, which is flat sideways to the body, and flexible in the body direction. Panel 30 is lightly padded for comfort. Panel 30 provides upward pressure to the hips. Panel 30 is supported by elevatable support member 22.

The descriptive word “elevatable” means that the top of support 22 can be raised or lowered with selected commands. A supplier of mechanisms to do the elevatable support function is Danaher Motion company, who make several versions of linear motion devices. An elevatable support is also referred to as an actuator, which can be lengthened or shortened by simple known mechanisms or procedures. The source of power for the motion can be electrical, hydraulic, air, hand pump, or other. Members 18, 22, 24, and 26 are all also referred to as actuators.

The third point of support is by panel 32, similar to panel 30 only further toward the head of the body 20. Panel 32 supplies pressure to the spine 43 at the shoulder blades, just before the shoulders 44. Panel 32 is held by elevatable support member 24. Further along the body 20 is elevatable support panel 34, pressing against the head 46.

The following are typical user adjustments of the slant table. The description “user adjust” means the user adjusts the spine 43 and body 20 profile while the user is on the slant table, as contrasted with getting out of the machine and standing to one side while making an adjustment. The “feel” of the adjustment while in the machine is much more direct when accomplished in this dynamic manner, rather than by doing an adjustment while out of the machine and guessing at the impact. The word “machine” refers to the overall assembly.

Once on the table 12, there is a modest stretching of the spine and hip owing to the downward weight of the body. The spine of the body 20 is placed in more or less tension according to how much the feet 20 are elevated. Once the user is in place, the user may next reach, with either hand or verbally or otherwise, a control to extend the height of support 14 (14 incorporates actuator 18). Doubling the length of 14 by actuator 18 will double the height of the feet above ground, and closely doubles the tension on the spine. This extra stretch on the spine more rapidly advances the curative properties of reversing the lifetime pressure on the spine.

Extending the length of support 22, also known as actuator 22, will increase the flexing of the body at the hips, and counteract the undesirable tendency to lean forward while walking, an adverse tendency experienced by many persons.

Similarly, extending the support 34, also known as actuator 34, will start to reverse the undesirable bending of the spine at the shoulder blades, referred to as early hunchback. The amount of reversible force, and the amount of tension on the spine, can both be adjusted, to maximize the rate of the benefit from this machine. Further, the user may hold weights for shoulder workout while the table is doing its spinal manipulations.

The support actuator 26, operating through panel 34, raises and lowers the head. The neck angle is adjusted, and further, the ability to read a book while in the machine is much easier. Raising the head also counteracts the problem of increased blood pressure on the brain cavity and the sinus cavities.

In summary, the dynamic and active user controls allow an optimum and adjustable compromise between where the spine 43 is and the amount of corrective pressure which is applied. The shape goals can be set and the curative speed of therapy activated quickly or slowly. The stress of getting in and out of the table, without need for an assistant, is eased by starting low and then increasing the tension. Tables with a fixed slope do not get the best compromise for both stretching and getting in and out. The elevatable pads under the hips and shoulder blades allow reversal of undesirable hardening of the skeletal frame, or ossification, so that round shouldering can be temporarily reversed and permanently brought to zero over time. Shoulder exercising helps the body to loosen up.

FIG. 2 show the slant table in a more elevated position. The effective over all length of support member 14 is increased by extending the actuator 18. For each doubling of length of the foot end support 14, the tension on the body 20 is approximately doubled.

Not Shown:

The pads under the body are made adjustable in the direction of the body, to allow for different length bodies. The elevator elements 22, 24, and 26, also called actuators, are adjustable in their longitudinal (body direction) position of anchoring to primary machine member 12. Most of this longitudinal adjustment, however, to adjust for differing body lengths, can be accomplished by moving the position of the foot holder 16. Also not shown is the convenience strap from the foot of table 12 to the hand to aid in mounting the board 12.

Not shown are the extensions of this invention. In these extensions there will be additional actuators for additional shaping of the spine and legs, and this spinal shaping will be under local computer control, allowing rapid changes of shape, even massaging. With vibrations of various body parts, while tilted, the body receives an invigorating anti-gravity work out. Sideways motion of the support panels will further increase the options for the spinal massage and workout.

For holding the body from sliding out the head end, an alternative to the ankle grip is grasping the lower legs and/or thighs with supports and/or straps. This hold has the advantage of not applying longitudinal tension stress to the knees or ankle. For simply pulling on the back and not the hips or thighs, the body can be grasped at the hip waist line with straps and or padded arms.

Force and tension may be applied to the spine, beyond that of gravity, without blood pressure increase to the head, by increasing the pull on the thighs and legs, and resisting body motion towards the legs with braces under the armpits. 

1. A slanting table for strengthening the back and improving the shape of the spine, upon which a person lies, comprised of a surface padded for ease of reclining, and a foot holder at the foot end, and sloping down to a head rest at the other end, and user controls for adjusting the slope of the table, and user controls for changing the contours of the surface and hence the shape of the spine.
 2. A slanting table for strengthening the back and improving the shape of the spine as in claim 1 in which the said user controls can be operated by the user while the user is in the reclining position on the table.
 3. A slanting table as in claim
 1. in which said user controls are comprised of mechanical members which can be electrically or otherwise changed in length, under control of the user.
 4. A slanting table as in claim
 1. in which the slope is adjustable by raising and lowering the said foot end, so that raising the foot end causes greater tension on the spine and back.
 5. A slanting table as in claim
 1. in which the said surface contour can be changed by elevating the part of the table under the hips.
 6. A slanting table as in claim
 1. in which the said contour can be changed by elevating the part of the table under the shoulder blades part of the back.
 7. A slanting table as in claim
 1. in which the said contour can be modified by the user by elevating the part of the table under the head.
 8. A slanting table as in claim 1 in which the said contour can be modified by either elevation or depression of various parts of the table.
 9. A slanting table in which said modification to the said contour referenced in claims
 4. through to
 8. can be accomplished by the user while the user reclines on the table.
 10. A slanting table as in claim 1 in which one or more elements are connected to a motor to vibrate and shake thus making the spine muscles and discs more receptive and more responsive to the thrust of the said elevating members. 